Retarding mechanism.



F. HEATH.

RETARDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1910.

1,003,457. Patented Sept. 19,1911.

WITNESSES: 4 IN VENTOR. 1

F/P/R/Wf HE/ITH I A TTORNE Y.

COLUMBIA PLANoaRAvM (30., WASHINGTON, D. c.

FRANK HEATH, OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA.

RETARIDING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

Application filed August 25, 1910. Serial No. 578,889.

To all whom t1 may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK HEATH, a citizen of the United States,residing at National City, in the county of San Diego and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRetarding Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in retarding mechanism in which theretardation is absolute and steady and the objects of the improvementsare to provide a mechanism that is simple in construction, steady in itsaction and very positive and it can be used to prevent an electro-magnetfrom producing a too quick or rapid movement on the part magneticallyaffected, and it is more particularly adapted to be used in connectionwith railway signal systems. I attain.these objects by the mechanismillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sideelevational view of the complete mechanism, and Fig. 2 is a plan viewthereof.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

I have shown the mechanism in connection with a magnet which actuatesits operation. The flywheel 1, coil spring 2, cable 3, lever 4, pivot 5,adjustments 6, and adjustable pivots 7 and 8, represent the principalparts of my invention. The flywheel 1 is an ordinary balance wheelpivoted on pivot points 1 and provided with a coil spring 2, one end ofwhich is attached to said wheel 1 and the other end attached to theadjustable pivot 8. On the other side of said wheel and on the axlethereof is wound a cable 3 which extends to an operating lever 4. Thiswheel 1 is for the purpose of retarding the quick action of lever 4 byits taking some time to take up the action and get into motion. Thespring 2 is for the purpose of turning said wheel back into itsoriginal. position when the counteraction of the lever is released thecord winding around said axle, and propelling said wheel when thecounteraction is in operation and winds on said axle when said action isreleased and spring 2 operates.

The adjustable pivot points 7 and 8 are simple supports each providedwith adjustable thumb screws which are provided with simple recesses intheir inner ends adapted to fit the pivot points 1.

The lever 4 is pivoted upon pivot support 5 which is a simple supportprovided with pivot point bearings. Between pivot point 5 and the pointof the cord attachment and adjacent to pivot point 5 is the adjustment 6which is a simple standard screwed down to the base 9 and provided withadjustment screws 6 one on each side of said lever which are adapted toregulate the action of said lever. On the outer end of said lever atpoint 4 any operating mechanism that it is desired to retard isattached. In this case I have shown a magnet 10 in connection.

It will be readily seen that any quick action on the end 4 of lever 4will be retarded by flywheel 1 until it gets in motion when its momentumwill cause it to revolve without further action thereon and that thespring 2 will carry it back to its original position when the lever 4 isreleased.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire toclaim by Letters Patent is:

1. A retarding mechanism, comprising a flywheel, an actuating springattached thereto, supports therefor, an axle on said wheel, a lever, acable with one end around said axle, its other end being attached tosaid lever, the latter being pivoted and an adjusting means adjacent tosaid pivot, all substantially as set forth.

2. A retarding mechanism, comprising a flywheel, an axle thereon, meansattached to one side of said wheel for actuating it in one direction, anactuating lever, a cable attached to and wound onto said axle and tosaid lever for actuating it in the opposite direction, adjustablesupports for said wheel, adjustable supports for said actuating lever,and adjustable means for regulating the movement of said lever, allsubstantially as set forth.

3. In a retarding mechanism the combination of a magnet, an armaturehaving an extension in connection therewith and pivoted adjacentthereto, adjustments for regulating the movements of said armature, acable attached to the extending end of said armature, an axle aroundwhich the other end of said cable is wound, a fly wheel mounted on saidaxle, means for revolving said axle, so as to wind said cable thereon,and adjustable supports for said axle, all substantially as set forth.

4. A retarding mechanism, comprising a base, a primary actuatingmechanism, a

lever pivotally mounted upon said base, means for regulating itsamplitude of oscillation, a fly Wheel, pivot'bearings upon which saidfly Wheel is rotatably mounted, a cable connecting said fly Wheel withsaid lever, and secondary actuating means for rotating said heel, allsubstantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscrlbe my name 1n the presence oftWo sub- 0 scrlblng wltnesses.

FRANK HEATH.

Witnesses:

MARY A. BOWMAN, EL ER E. RODABAUGH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Iatents,

" Washington, I). C.

